Catamenial napkin

ABSTRACT

A catamenial napkin having an outer non-compressed layer of fluid absorbent material and an inner core of highly compressed fluid absorbent material enclosed therein. The napkin preferably is V-shaped in cross section and is arch-shaped in its longitudinal direction by die compression. When the inner core is wetted, it swells and dynamically expands the outer noncompressed layer in all directions and thereby adjusts itself to each wearer.

United States Patent Glassman 1 June 5, 1973 [54] CATAMENIAL NAPKIN3,430,630 3/1969 Megison et al ..l28/290 R 3,570,493 3 1971 Olsson..l28/290R [76] h i Merldla 3,411,504 11/1968 Glassman ..128/29OR AvenueMlaml Beach, 33139 1,843,037 1 1932 Mathey ..l28/290 R 22 Filed: June9,1971

Primary ExaminerCharles F. Rosenbaum Att0rneyElmer L. Zwickel [57]ABSTRACT 7 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures [52] US. Cl. ..l28/290 R, 19/1445[51] Int. Cl. ..A6lf 13/16 [58] Field of Search ..l28/290, 296; 19/144,144.5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,952,259 9/1960 Burgeni..128/290 R 2,964,040 12/1960 Ashton et al.... ....128/290 R 3,364,931l/l968 Hirsch ....l28/290 R 3,375,827 4/1968 Bletzinger et al. ..l28/290R a. l 11 i6 PATENTEUJUH SIQTS 3,736,931

r SHEET 10F 2 Jaad A flaws/12 41 CATAMENIAL NAPKIN The invention relatesto improvements in sanitary napkins and to the method of fabrication,and is particularly concerned with a catamenial napkin generally ofV-shape in cross-section and arch-shaped in its longitudinal direction.The napkin has an inner or central core of highly compressed fluidabsorbent material which is at least partially enclosed in an outercovering of noncompressed fluid absorbent material.

More specifically, the invention relates to the critical arrangement ofa highly compressed layer of fluid absorbent material which issubstantially enclosed in an outer or covering layer of non-compressedfluid absorbent material in such manner that when the napkin is fittedfor use, initial menstral fluid absorption directs itself within theinner compressed layer so as to cause same to expand dynamically andactively effect a spreading of the covering layer into a wide V-shapedform that conforms by expansion, substantially to the particular anatomyof the wearer. As a consequence there is total absorption by the innerabsorbent layer or core before there is any passage and absorption offluids into the outer layer, and the said outer layer therefore remainssubstantially dry until near the very end of the useful life of thenapkin.

In many known earlier types of catamenial napkins it was customary toprovide an enlongated pad that is flat or substantially flat throughoutvits length and which is devoid of any means to control the flowdirection of menstrual waste fluids with the result that such napkinsbecome prematurely saturated long prior to their intended useful life;or they overflow principally in the direction of their side edges thuscausing the wearer to experience a feeling of wetness long before theuseful life of the napkin is attained. In fact, such sidewise flow orrun-off is enhanced in such prior flat napkins owing to the generationoflateral wrinkles in the effective surface of the napkin resulting fromits being arched as it is applied to conform to the curvature of thecrotch and perineum of the wearer.

The napkin formed by the present method avoids all of the foregoingobjectionable characteristics.

In particular, the napkin produced by the present method of manufactureis initially formed flat as it comes from a conventional napkin formingmachine. It is subsequently molded by heated dies, into a V-shapecross-section and into an exaggerated arch configuration in alongitudinal direction, so as to eliminate the generation of lateralwrinkles when it is applied to the perineum. A further step in thefabrication of the herein disclosed napkin is the generation of one ormore lateral grooves or creases by heat, moisture, and compression,inwardly of each end of the napkin. The end portions can therefore beeasily folded over inwardly to facilitate packaging while preserving theexaggerated arcuate U form of the central portion of the napkin duringpackaging and storage.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improvedsanitary napkin.

Another object is to provide a napkin with internal means adapted toabsorb initial menstrual flow before there is any substantial absorptionof menstrual flow by the remaining outer portion thereof.

Another object is to provide a napkin critically fabricated of multiplelayers of absorbent material at least one of which is highly compressedand longitudinally positioned as an expandable central core capable ofswelling and expanding when wetted.

Another object is to provide a napkin with an inner compressed highlyexpansible core of fluid absorbent material capable, when wetted, ofdynamically or forcefully expanding its outer confining less absorptivelayer in all directions.

Another object is to provide a napkin which possesses maximum absorptiveproperties and so constructed as to direct menstrual fluids initiallyinto the interior thereof.

Another object is to provide a menstrual napkin of the characterreferred to which is not expensive or difficult to manufacture, andwhich is very comfortable to wear and efficient in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent withreference to the following description and accompanying drawing:

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hihgly arched napkin embodying thefeatures of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the napkin applied to an obese person.

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the napkin applied as shown inFIG. 3, before it becomes wetted.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing the napkin wetted andexpanded and thereby fitting itself into the particular open spaces ofthe anatomy.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3, illustrating a body with spacedapart thighs.

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view of the napkin as applied to theFIG. 6 type of body.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, showing the napkin wetted andexpanded to fill anatomy spaces.

FIG. 9 is a transverse sectional view of the layers of material beforefolding.

FIG. 10 is a similar view showing the layers partially folded.

The catamenial napkin formed by the herein disclosed method andstructured as also disclosed herein, is best shown in FIG. 1. Thisnapkin comprises a body 11 of layers of highly absorbent material, suchas cotton, paper fluff, crepe wadding, or similar material of a typecommonly used for absorptive purposes and ineluding connecting end tabs11a.

The napkin may be flat or substantially flat but preferably is formed bythe application of heat, moisture and compression, into the exaggeratedU-shaped longitudinal arch as shown. Specifically, the napkin includes aflat elongated body 12 of soft non-woven moisture absorbent material.Arranged on one face of the body 12 is a layer of moisture imperviousmaterial 13 over which is placed a layer or pad 14 of highly compressedfluid absorbent material. As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, thisassemblage is initially fashioned into a longitudinal V-shape as shownin FIG. 10, and is subsequently formed into the shape illustrated inFIG. 4 by pressfitting the longitudinal margins of the body 12 intooverlapping position with respect to the edges of pad 14 so as tosubstantially enclose said pad, leaving exposed only a narrowlongitudinal central topside area indicated at 14a (FIGS. 2 and 4).Arranged on the underside of the outer layer 12 is a sheet of moistureimpervious material 15. This formation may be accomplished with foldingcompression dies assisted by controlled moisture and heat.

As previously noted the napkin, formed as described in the precedingparagraph, is enclosed in a thin gauze 16 which provides end securingtabs 11a. The whole preferably is then formed, as by molding, into theaforesaid exaggerated arcuate configuration so as to eliminate thegeneration of lateral wrinkles when the napkin is applied to the body.Representative apparatus for arching the napkin is disclosed in mypending application Ser. No. 92,108, filed Nov. 23, 1970. Such apparatusalso generates one or more lateral creases 17 inwardly of each end ofthe napkin so that the tapered end portions 12a of body 12, may befolded over upon the body to facilitate packaging, storage, andconvenience of handling.

It should be evident that the napkin provided will fit into the crotchand perineum of a wearer without the generation of lateral wrinklesbecause of its pre-fit and pre-contoured configuration. Further, whenthe napkin is fitted in place, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the exposedcentral area 14a of the inner compressed pad or expandable core 14,being recessed slightly from the top of the napkin, will position itselfto fit the vaginal orifice and is in substantial allignment with thefemale vaginal cleft or outlet. Because of this exact alignment, allinitial flow of waste fluids is absorbed within the inner core 14. Thiscore will become wetted long before there is any wetting of the outerlayer 12 owing to the presence of the moisture impervious layer 13between them. This layer 13 may be perforated to assist progressive flowof fluids from the core 14, after it is saturated, into the outer layer12. However, as the core becomes wetted it expands dynamically to causethe outer layer 12 to be forced outwardly, widening the V- shape, asillustrated in FIG. 5, so as to conform substantially with the specificanatomy and empty spaces of the wearer. This expansion takes placegradually as total absorption of the core is approached so that theouter layer can adjust and insinuate itself to all irregular andspacific surrounding anatomy, Thus the napkin will as sume aself-adjusting function toward a perfect fit and there is no strikethrough and no feeling of wetness prior to total absorption within thenapkin. Such strikethrough is of course further impeded by the presenceof the impervious layer 15.

The representative illustrations in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are illustrative ofthe napkins use and function when worn by one having spaced apartthighs. As best shown in FIG. 7, when the napkin is dry as wheninitially applied, there is a space S between the napkin sides and thethighs. When wetted, as shown in FIG. 8, the napkin has expanded tosubstantially fill the space between the thighs and thus preventspill-over.

Although I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention, inconsiderable detail, it will be understood that the description thereofis intended to be illustrative, rather than restrictive, as details ofthe structure may be modified or changed without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to berestricted to the exact construction and method of production described.

I claim:

1. A sanitary napkin comprising an outer substantially rectangular layerof soft moisture absorbent material, a substantially rectangular layerof highly compressed moisture absorbent material arranged on one face ofthe outer layer, said compressed layer being substantially smaller thanthe outer layer, and the margins of the outer layer being disposed tooverly-the margins of the layer of highly compressed absorbent materialto thereby leave a small area of the compressed inner layer exposed.

2. The napkin recited in claim 1, in which the napkin is formedsubstantially triangular in shape in crosssection so that said highlycompressed layer upon being wetted will expand and forcefully spread thesides of the outer layer apart into a substantially wide V-shape.

3. The napkin recited in claim 1, in which the napkin is sharply curvedin a longitudinal direction and the small exposed area of; thecompressed layer is located; on the concave side of the napkin along itslongitudinal axis.

4. The method of fabricating a sanitary napkin comprised of an outerlayer of soft fluid absorbent material and an inner core of highlycompressed fluid absorbent material smaller in size than the outerlayer, said method consisting of forming the napkin into a longitudinalV-shape and folding the longitudinal margins of the outer layer over theinner core to substantially conceal same.

5. The method recited in claim 4 with the added step of arching thenapkin in a longitudinal direction with the exposed areas of the innercore visible on the concave surface.

6. The method recited in claim 4, with the added step of arranging alayer of moisture impervious material between said inner and outerlayers.

7. The method recited in claim 4, with the added step of arranging alayer of moisture impervious material over the exposed face of the outerlayer.

1. A sanitary napkin comprising an outer substantially rectangular layerof soft moisture absorbent material, a substantially rectangular layerof highly compressed moisture absorbent material arranged on one face ofthe outer layer, said compressed layer being substantially smaller thanthe outer layer, and the margins of the outer layer being disposed tooverly the margins of the layer of highly compressed absorbent materialto thereby leave a small area of the compressed inner layer exposed. 2.The napkin recited in claim 1, in which the napkin is formedsubstantially triangular in shape in cross-section so that said highlycompressed layer upon being wetted will expand and forcefully spread thesides of the outer layer apart into a substantially wide V-shape.
 3. Thenapkin recited in claim 1, in which the napkin is sharply curved in alongitudinal direction and the small exposed area of; the compressedlayer is located; on the concave side of The napkin along itslongitudinal axis.
 4. The method of fabricating a sanitary napkincomprised of an outer layer of soft fluid absorbent material and aninner core of highly compressed fluid absorbent material smaller in sizethan the outer layer, said method consisting of forming the napkin intoa longitudinal V-shape and folding the longitudinal margins of the outerlayer over the inner core to substantially conceal same.
 5. The methodrecited in claim 4 with the added step of arching the napkin in alongitudinal direction with the exposed areas of the inner core visibleon the concave surface.
 6. The method recited in claim 4, with the addedstep of arranging a layer of moisture impervious material between saidinner and outer layers.
 7. The method recited in claim 4, with the addedstep of arranging a layer of moisture impervious material over theexposed face of the outer layer.